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Shastri praises Shaw after Player of the Series performance

Ind v WI, 2nd Test, day 3, Reaction

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India's coach was very pleased with the teenaged opener's first two Test matches.

India coach, Ravi Shastri, was full of praise for 18-year-old opening batsman, Prithvi Shaw, after his team’s 10 wicket win over the Windies in the second Test in Hyderabad. Shaw became the second youngest player in Test history to hit the winning runs when he drilled Devendra Bishoo through the covers for four in the 17th over of India’s second innings. Shaw was also given the Player of the Series award.

“He was born to play cricket. He has been playing since was eight. So, that’s a decade in the maidans of Bombay and wherever else. If you look at his game, he is a spectator’s delight.

Prithvi Shaw (18 years and 339 days) is second youngest in Test history to hit the winning runs. Youngest: Pat Cummins (18 years and 197 days) vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2011. #IndvWI

“When he bats, there is a bit of Sachin, bit of Viru [Virender Sehwag]. When he walks, there is a bit of [Brian] Lara as well. That’s a deadly combination to have. If he keeps his head on his shoulders and work ethic, he has a bright future,”

Shastri also singled out Umesh Yadav for praise after the quick bowler claimed 10/133 in the match to help secure a 2-0 series whitewash for his team. Umesh added four more wickets in the Windies second innings as he showed what he could do after the disappointment of not featuring in the last four Test matches in England.

“I felt very happy for him. It can be a frustrating profession when you have to sit on the reserve bench like he did for four Test matches in England. We knew, and he know that he can play at any given stage, but only eleven can play. I am glad that he grabbed his opportunity with both hands.”

“What this will do is that this will make him believe that he belongs to the best XI that India can put out in the park. He has given us a headache but that’s a very good headache.”

Shastri is also confident of a return to form for KL Rahul after a difficult series for the opener by his high standards. A duck in his only innings in the first Test and just four runs in the first innings of this game put his form in the spotlight, but he made 33 not out in India’s second innings as he and Shaw secured victory.

“I think [KL Rahul] will be fine. He's a world-class player. Sometimes he tries too hard. He works really hard on his game,” Shastri said.